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Elita Chikwati Senior Reporter
Chirumanzu-Zibagwe Member of Parliament Cde Auxilia Mnangagwa has been elected deputy chairperson for the Pan African Parliament (PAP) for the Southern Africa region.

She takes over from Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Cde Thokozile Mathuthu, who stepped down after her ministerial appointment.

PAP was established as an organ of the African Union (AU) to ensure the full participation of African people in the development and economic integration of the continent.

Cde Mathuthu yesterday congratulated Cde Mnangagwa on her election saying this was an important achievement for Zimbabwe to continue holding the regional position.

“I would like to congratulate Cde Mnangagwa on her election as deputy chairperson of the Southern Africa region. I am happy that Zimbabwe is still in charge of the regional position.

“The position is important as it will give the country the opportunity to lobby and defend its interests. We are currently talking of the Sustainable Development Goals, and this post will give us the opportunity to promote interests such as women empowerment,” she said.

She said Zimbabwe recognised and promoted women’s rights and will take advantage of its position at PAP to empower women.

“We support the rise of women to leadership posts,” she said.

AU member states are represented at the PAP by five parliamentarians, at least one of whom must be a woman. The representation of each member state must reflect the diversity of political opinions in each national Parliament or other deliberative organs.

Zimbabwe is represented by Cde Mnangagwa, deputy president of the Senate Cde Chenhamo Chimutengwende, Zimbabwe Chiefs’ Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira and Hatfield MDC-T legislator, Dr Tapiwa Mashakada. The fifth position left by Cde Mathuthu is yet to be filled.

PAP’s objectives are to facilitate the effective implementation of the policies and objectives of the African Union, promote the principle of human rights and democracy in Africa, encourage good governance, transparency and accountability in member states and familiarise people with the objectives and policies aimed at integrating the African continent within the framework of the establishment of the AU.